This is basically the same as Mediator Delphi client but from another perspective.
For those who are not interested in Mediator server SQL capabilities right now, we provide this xHarbour components for Delphi as a mean to easily access xHarbour's data and functions from Delphi applications.
While Mediator Delphi client is available only as a part of Mediator client in common installer, xHarbour components for Delphi have been put into separate installer file for easy download and deployment.
This solution is absolutely free and can be used by anybody interested in any kind of applications including commercial.
For detailed info about xHarbour components for Delphi see documentation.
xHarbour components for Delphi are based on the state of the art xHarbour kernel (Harbour.dll). The appropriate version of Harbour.dll file is attached to the components installer, so you don't need to worry about it. More information about the xHarbour project is available at www.xharbour.org.
xHarbour components for Delphi include two sets of Delphi objects which correspond to two different data access interfaces. To access DBF (and Mediator) tables you can use either low-level objects or VCL (Visual Class Library) Delphi components.
Low level objects
THbConnection and THbTable are low-level objects which allow the programmatical access to xHarbour tables/workareas and kernel from Delphi. These objects contain easy to use wrappers for about 150 xHarbour and 120 Mediator functions.
VCL components
There are two visual-level components which can be usefull for accessing DBF files:
TMedConnection is similar to BDE's TDatabase component. It is used for setting environmental parameters and interacting with xHarbour kernel (Harbour.dll) functions. Some functions are implemented as TMedConnection methods, others are accessible through the ancapsulated THbConnection object.
TMedTable component is a TDataSet descendant which ensures the easy, BDE-like access to DBF files. It is very similar to BDE's TTable component and easily integrates with existing Delphi data-aware components such as DataSource, DBGrid or DBNavigator. Built around the encapsulated THbTable object, it also provides the access to the low-level xHarbour functionality.
RDD drivers
Replaceable Data Driver is an xHarbour's interface used to access data.
Our components give you access to the following RDD drivers:
- DBFNTX - DBF files with NTX indexes
- DBFCDX - DBF file with CDX indexes
- MEDNTX, MEDCDX - Mediator SQL drivers compatible with DBFNTX and DBFCDX respectively
Every DBF-based application built around
TMedConnection and
TMedTable components can be easily switched to use SQL database by simply modifying a few properties in
TMedConnection and
TMedTable components.
What can I use it for?
a) Use xHarbour Delphi components as migration path for your xBase applications. You can gradually migrate your applications writing new modules in Delphi. Thanks to xHarbour kernel underlying Mediator components, your DBF and Mediator data is accessed in 100%-compatible way from both xHarbour and Delphi applications.
It is hard to belive but now you can even integrate your xHarbour code with Delphi application! All you need to do is to put your xHarbour code into DLL file and then run it from Delphi application passing required parameters!
b) Use xHarbour Delphi components as high-grade RAD environment for developping new GUI modules extending your existing xHarbour/Clipper applications.
c) Use xHarbour Delphi components as GUI for your xHarbour code kept in DLL files.
Advantages of xHarbour/DBF components for Delphi- easy access to DBF files from Delphi applications
- BDE-compatible, TDataset descendant data access interface
- low-level and VCL-level interfaces to best suit your application
- 100% xHarbour files compatibility thanks to underlaying xHarbour kernel
- ability to integrate and execute existing xHarbour/Clipper code
- no need for BDE files on user workstation
- instant migration to SQL database without writing a single SQL statement
System requirements
Delphi 7, 8, 2005
